The Summons

We are all searching for truth. 

Here’s a question for you.  When you find truth, will you have the courage to follow where it leads you? 

When you know something for sure…when every fiber of your being is certain of something…when you really understand…when you find answers that satisfy you…what will you do then?

What if you find truth somewhere new?  What if the truth you find has nothing to do with what you were taught when you were a child?  What if your eyes and heart are opened in ways that you could have never imagined?  What if you are inspired by people and places that are in disagreement with what you previously thought? 

I heard someone say that we all long to know God.  This is the one thing all human beings have in common.  We all want to know God.  It is the thing we want most and it is the thing we fear most. 

If I know God, if I really know Him and let Him into my life, will He ask me to do something? 

Will we be like the fishermen? 

Mark 1:16 – 1:20 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea–for they were fishermen.  And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.  And immediately they left their nets and followed him.  As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

This is our hope and this is our fear. 

We cry “Know me God” but we are afraid to reveal the darkest corners of our hearts. 

We offer “Use me God” but we are only available to a certain point.  We have families and jobs and bills to pay and commitments.  We think “I can’t do that!” or “Who, me?” or “Not now!” or “But that will offend my parents/friends/siblings (fill in the blank)”. 

God is in a box.  He is safely ensconced on Sunday morning in the church.  We speak of Him but we don’t speak to Him.  He is benign like an old relative or a treasured old teacher.  We respect Him.  Sometimes we remember Him.  We think of Him fondly. 

Well, God does not have us in a box.  He has a plan and a purpose for us and it is bigger than anything we could ever imagine.  He wants to know us too and He wants to use us.  He wants to change us so we can change the world. 

We are told in the Bible “Do not be afraid” 365 times.  One time for every day of the year!  I take this as a reminder that God wants to banish our fear.  He’s asking us to “fear not” – every single day!

We sang the song, The Summons,  in church today and it reminded me of the challenge we all face.  What we want most we fear most. 

All of us are absolutely being summoned by God.   What’s your answer? 

©2012 Sue Bidstrup, Great Big Yes™ All Rights Reserved

 

The Summons

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known?

Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

 

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?

Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?

Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?

Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

 

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?

Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?

Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,

And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

 

Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?

Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?

Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around,

Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

 

Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name.

Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

In Your company I’ll go where Your love and footsteps show.

Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.